Phoenix Massacre Victims Commemoration Monument Reportedly in the Works

Phoenix Massacre Victims Commemoration Monument Reportedly in the Works

  • Victims of the Phoenix massacre in July will soon be commemorated, according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala
  • Zikalala announced the move during a peace march from Phoenix in the north of Durban to the neighbouring Bhambhayi township
  • Zikalala has called on people from all walks of life to join in efforts to bridge economic and racial divides

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Victims of the Phoenix massacre in July will soon be commemorated. That is the word on the ground after KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala announced it on Tuesday.

Zikalala was speaking during a peace march from Phoenix in the north of Durban to the neighbouring Bhambhayi township, SABC News reported.

Phoenix Massacre Victims Commemoration Monument Reportedly in the Works
Victims of the Phoenix massacre in July will soon be commemorated, according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala. Image: South African Tourism.
Source: Getty Images

Reports circulated widely that the attacks that took place in Phoenix during the widespread unrest and looting were racially motivated.

However, in the aftermath of the terrible events, and while impacted families battle to find closure, various initiatives have been launched in hopes of quelling the tensions and promoting reconciliation.

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According to the premier, the monument will have all the names of the victims inscribed.

Economic and racial divides ought to be bridged

The peace march, comprising about 100 people – including the entire provincial government cabinet – went through the streets of Phoenix and into the neighbouring Bhambhayi, IOL reported.

Among the metaphorical displays, white pigeons were released as a sign of peace. Zikalala has called on people from all walks of life to join in efforts to bridge economic and racial divides.

“Tougher legislation and sentences alone will not get rid of deep-seated roots of violence," elaborated Zikalala.
"We need to return to the source and begin to promote sanity for human lives in our families, (and) in our communities. The foundation is the family, and we must build from our families,” said Zikalala.

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Zikalala calls ANC "home", SA responds savagely

In other news, Briefly News recently reported that Zikala found himself at the receiving end of some flack on social media over a comment he made around his party.

The politician, who serves as the ANC provincial chairperson in KZN, took to Twitter in a willy-nilly fashion on Friday morning to air a sentiment that not all Saffas took kindly.

"ANC is our home," read the simple tweet.

South Africans were soon at Zikalala's door, the majority of whom slammed the remark as hogwash.

Source: Briefly News

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